Why are bread knives essential for your kitchen?
I’ll paint you a picture. Your friends and family have come over for dinner. Wine has been served. And your guests stand around talking while you prepare the starters. Expectations are high. You reach for the bread knife you keep in your drawer. Eyes glance over. As you bring the blade down on the surface of the sourdough, you find there’s resistance… Eyes are now watching. Forcing the knife into the crusty bread it tears unevenly, spilling a mess of crumbs around the surface of your kitchen top.
This can be embarrassing, but don’t worry! The perfect solution awaits you just further down this page…
At this stage I think you’re asking yourself, “What is your secret to seamlessly slicing through sourdough without causing that embarrassing mess?”
The secret… it lies in the unique design of a serrated bread knife, which allows for effortless slicing of all types of bread.
Do you think your bread knife is suited only for bread? If so! You are missing out. These bread knives are also superb for:
• Packed lunches, e.g. sandwiches - the serrated blade slides through soft crust in thin, even slices, while keeping the integrity of the sandwich presentable and in place.
• Homemade brownies - the precision of these blades prevent internal ‘crumbling’. Crumbs will become a thing of the past when investing.
• Peeling and slicing tough fruits- where your average knife is prone to slipping on fruit surfaces, the sharp serration of these knives cut through thick and thin skins with ease, slicing seamlessly.
The list goes on!
The right breadknife in your kitchen does not have to be a luxury. However, if you have a passion for cooking, it should be a necessity. We are proud to say that we help keep passions alight in home kitchens across the UK. Join this growing community and see what this market has to offer.
Why keep struggling with the wrong breadknife? Uneven bread slices... The unnecessary mess caused by crumbs… Our solution: browse our collection of bread knives and choose the one that will suit you and your kitchen best.
How to slice with a professional bread knife:
Using a premium bread knife is super simple and should make your life that bit easier in your kitchen. In case you were wondering, here are some simple instructions on how to slice with a bread knife:
1. Take a firm grip on your handle.
2. Let it do the work for you while delicately moving the serrated edge back and forth.
3. Make sure your bread is flat and secure so that you’re slicing evenly and effectively.
4. Always start with the crust, and don’t force it! Keep the slicing steady, light, and gentle… and the blade will do the rest.
Simplifying the buying process of your breadknife:
One of the most common issues aspiring kitchen professionals have is an overwhelming feeling of
‘too much choice’. Agreed. There is a lot out there and it is easy to get it wrong. Here is a simple guide for you to consider:
The length of the blade you’re using
Bread knives are typically 20-23cm long which is 8-9inches and these are what most people tend to go for. However, we stock bread knives with blades as short as 17cm and as long as 24cm. Both lengths are suitable for universal use in a kitchen, however, if you know you are cutting smaller loaves the shorter blade might be better suited as it offers slightly easier control and storage due to the shorter blade length. On the other hand, if you know you will be cutting larger loaves the longer blade might be better suited.
The type of serration
Where pointed serrations are ideal for slicing through crusty dough, rounded serrations embrace softer surfaced bread.
Stainless steel
Keep your eyes peeled for bread knives that are made out of high carbon stainless steel; durable, sustainable, and uniquely sharp compared with most other knives.
A handle designed for your hand
The right handle will revolutionise the way you slice bread. Wood for comfort, plastic for lightens, and stainless steel for durability.
Your blade: sharp and balanced
This is where a lot of the smoothness and control will stem from! There should be optimised balance between the handle and the blade.
Those cool extra features the bread knife often has
How many times have you cut into hard crust to be left with uneven slices? That is because your knife lacks the necessary designs to prevent that from happening! A high carbon stainless steel, along with the serrated edge of your bread knife, will work wonders on your technique.
Is it worth investing in a high quality bread knife? In short, 100% yes. Here’s why
Your average knife will dull quickly, with low durability. A high end premium bread knife is a one time investment. The balance between the handle and blade is perfect, reducing strain. Therefore, your slicing experience will feel blissful, resulting in evenly sliced bread. Your standard bread knife lacks these qualities, resulting with unhappier kitchen experiences.
How to look after and maintain your bread knives?
With great power comes great responsibility. Disciplines in keeping your knives sharpened and well maintained reflect your ability in the kitchen. You must,
Clean your blade, using a delicate cloth that compliments the steel of your serrated bread knife.
Serrate your edge! Sharpening tools will see to this, as you carefully follow the curvature of the blade. Take your time and ensure the shape of your sourdough bread knife maintains it’s shape.
Keep your blade protected, slide it in carefully into a protective sheath and then hang for display in your kitchen.
Best serrated bread knives for crusty bread and sourdough:
Finding the best bread knife isn’t always easy, as it is specific to each individual. That’s why we’ve carefully selected every bread knife in our range from some of the best brands in the industry, ensuring they meet our high standards for quality and performance. To make your research that bit easier, we’ve picked out a few of our bestselling bread knives that are perfect for slicing curtsy bread and sourdough loaves with ease.
Wusthof Classic Bread Knife
It’s stainless steel remains sharp and provides perfect balance to it’s handler. Formed with a single sheet of steel, this knife has one purpose… to cut through bread no matter what the consistency.
Upgrade your standard every day bread knife to something premium and durable, by clicking this link here:
Zwilling Pro Bread Knife
This is a SIGMAFORGE knife which stems from a single piece forging. It’s FRIDUR ice-hardened blade means it has exceptional durability, making it long lasting and reliable. Also, resistant to corrosion. Buy Now!
Kai Shun Classic Bread Knife
These knives feature VG MAX steel which forms the blade’s core as well as it’s edge. 32 layers of Damascus steel, handmade in Japan; a premium bread knife that resonates class and sophistication.
These knives sell fast! Buy Now!
Robert Welch Signature Bread Knife
A knife with stainless steel rivets. It’s serration, razor sharp, making it perfect for soft and crusty loaves. Made from high quality German stainless steel with an ergonomic DuPont handle, this knife is perfect for crusty loaves, French sticks, and cakes.
Elegance and precision in a knife: Get Yours Now!
Lion Sabatier CHEF Bread Knife
This knife comes from Thiers, France. It has premium stainless steel with a lightweight aluminium bolster, giving this knife balance and comfort when in your hand.
You don’t have to settle with anything less than exceptional. Buy now.
Can you sharpen a serrated bread knife?
Yes you can. However, this requires a unique approach compared with regular knives. Each serration needs careful attention, with the use of the right kind of sharpening rod (either ceramic or tapered).
Why should you cut bread with a serrated bread knife?
The reason behind this is to slice through harden crusts without ruining the softer interior of the bread. You find yourself having to apply pressure with ordinary knives, whereas serrated bread knives do the hard work for you.
Affordable bread knives vs premium bread knives?
Premium bread knives are made from richer materials which makes them more durable, balanced, and aesthetically more attractive. Cheaper knives are made of less durable steels which makes their serrations less effective. It is an investment when buying these higher end knives. And once you’ve made that investment, you will never go back.
